Roland joins in passing game's fun

Williams-Brice welcomes state-of-the-art scoreboard

Oct. 9, 2012

Written by

Charles Bennett

Special Correspondent

COLUMBIA — Highly touted South Carolina freshman wide receiver Shaq Roland played for the first time this season when he entered Saturday’s game against East Carolina in the first quarter.

Roland, who played at Lexington High, finished with two catches for 25 yards after being used unsuccessfully as a deep threat early in the game.

The Gamecocks threw deep to Roland on his first play in the game.

South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson lobbed a jump ball deep to Roland, but with East Carolina defensive back Adonis Armstrong defending on the play, Roland was unable to come down with the pass, which fell incomplete.

The Gamecocks went deep to Roland again late in the second quarter, but he dropped the 60-yard throw after making a last-second move to get to the ball.

Another deep throw was uncatchable.

He finally got untracked with a 12-yard reception late in the third quarter.

Video Board: The home opener marked the debut of a new 36-foot by 124-foot video board.

Installed at a cost of $6.5 million, the board is the third largest in the 14-team Southeastern Conference.

It replaces a 20-by-29 board that was the third smallest in the conference.

LATTIMORE SCORES 33RD TD: With South Carolina relying heavily on the passing game, tailback Marcus Lattimore had a quiet day, rushing for 40 yards with one touchdown on 13 carries.

“They weren’t going to let us beat them with the run,” Lattimore said. “There were seven or eight guys up there and that opened up the passing game. Nothing wrong with that.”

Lattimore’s touchdown tied him with George Rogers and Harold Green for most career touchdowns in USC history with 33.

“I’ve met George Rogers and I’ve met Harold Green,” Lattimore said. “It’s an honor to just be mentioned with them.”

ECU’S RUFFIN LIKES WHAT HE SEES: East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill votes in the coaches’ poll, where he had the Gamecocks ranked No. 8 last week.

After watching South Carolina -- ranked No. 9 in both the AP and coaches polls this week -- beat his team 48-10, McNeill figures to move up the Gamecocks.

“I’ll probably rank them six or seven,” he said. “I won’t know until tomorrow. Having faced them, they’re a really good football team.”

McNeill said he had no problem with the Gamecocks’ scoring on a 51-yard pass play with 54 seconds to play and the outcome of the game long decided.

“It’s our job to stop them,” McNeill said. “It’s not their job to stop themselves. Coach Spurrier has always been very respectful to me and our program. He’s got to coach his team, I’ve got to coach mine.”

BRIEFLY: South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney suffered a rib contusion, but did not miss any action. The Gamecocks reported no other injuries.

USC linebacker Shaq Wilson got his second interception of the season and fourth of his career when he stepped in front of a pass from ECU backup quarterback Shane Carden at the Pirates’ 29-yard line.

The turnover set up a 29-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Thompson to D.L. Moore.